Molding apparatus



April 14, 1925. D. J. CAMPBELL MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1922 4 9Sheets-Sheet 1 lnuemof 130mm Jfiomybe April 14, 1925. 1,533,220

D. J. CAMPBELL MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 2hummm" DonmdJGompM MQLE April 14, 1925. 1,533,220

' D. J. CAMPBELL MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 5M5 v I lnuenfor' B DonakdJGompbeH j JZM Afiorn g5;

April 14, 1925. 1,533,220

D. J. CAMPBELL MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 II lnucn'Yor Lgi 13 Donald JGmnpbeH A orneg April 14, 1925. 1,533,220

- D. J. CAMPBELL MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 5Imam or Donum J. Gompbe Mum! April 14, 1925. 1,533,220

D. J. CAMPBELL MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Q0? 16, 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet s (5/3/29 /2 9 Q q) I Y lnuemor Donam JGompbeN April 14, 1925. V 1,533,220

- D. J; CAMPBELL MOLDING APPARATUS I Filed Oct. 16, 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet9 3/ 7 j 741. 2 mam DOIIQM J-GompbeH Patented Apr. 14,1925;

DONALD J. CAMPBELL, OF MUSKEGO'N HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN.

HOLDING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DONALD. J. CAMPBELL,"

a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Muskegon Heights, in the county of Muskegon and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improveinents in MoldingApparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the'same.

This'invention relates to molding apparatus, designed for use in thequantity production of moulds from green sand, the mechanism beingchiefly "operated by compressed air for the projection of the sand intothe flasks around the pattern, and for the compression of the sand whenit has density of sand in the mould which may notbe obtained solelythrough the compressed air projection of sand into the flask. Themachine or apparatus is designed for asubstantially continuousoperation, moulds being rapidly made one after the other, and

with each operation of the sand projectionportion of the apparatus, thehopper which has carried the sand and from which it has been forced ismoved away to make room for a succeeding hopper, the first hopper whenmoved awaybeing again filled with sand before it comes to dischargeposition again. In addition, each hopper passes by or through a stationwhere it may be entirely cleaned of the sand which, after severaloperations may become too dense or packed too hard for proper operation,the cleaning, however, not taking place every time after sandprojection, but only at intervals, usually about every tenth operation,

Furthermore, the machine? or apparatus is equipped with novelconstructions for sealing the hopper against escape of air when it isactuated by the compressed air to deliver a charge into the flask, andwith further means for elevating the flasks when required forcompressing the sand mould, particularly at its upper side where 1tsdensity is less than it should be. The apparatus is further equippedwith many novel mechanisms for controlling the air, giving it itsdesired course 0 f travel, insuring against a wrong operatlon of the ambeen forced into the flask for a required- Application filed October 16,1922. Serial No. 594,803.

controls at certain times, and generally is fully and completelydesigned for the practical production of moulds in quantity and withgreat speed.

It is an object and purpose of the invention to provide an apparatushaving the above noted qualities, as well as many others not at thistime specifically outlined, but which will appear as the description ofthe construction shown in the accompanying drawings progresses, in whichdrawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the complete machine or apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the apparatus at a point belowthe upper air chamber, the mechanism below being shown in plan.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the operative parts of theapparatus as they appear when a. charge of sand is being projected fromthe sand hopper into the flask.

Fig. 4 is a like view showing the same apparatus as it is ositioned forthe lacing of the squeezing flller between the hopper and flask.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section and plan showing the lowertable on which the flask carrier rests, and the air connections foroperation of the table upwardly into different positions.

Fig. 6 is a fra entary horizontal section at a point he owsaid tableillustrating the toggle link mechanism and parts asso ciated therewithfor changing the position of the table.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the air controlmechanism for operation of the toggle links.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarger-elevation of the operating handles forsaid control mechanism and the guard used therewith for insuring properactuation of the handles.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarger front elevation of the upper portion ofthe apparatus showing the air containing chamher and the controlmechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 10 is a central vertical section therethrough.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevation of the manually operable controldevice for operating the air valves used between the air chamber and thesand hopper.

'diflerent air lines used in the machine.

Fig. 13 is a. fragmentary elevation of a detail of construction relatingto the operation of the air exhaust valve, used to re- .lieve thepressure in the hopper after a charge of sand has been forced therefrom.

Fig. 14 is a vertical section. through the exhaust valve constructionand operating connections therewith.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary under plan of the valve plate located at theunder side of the air chamber. t I

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary horizontal section through a sand hopper.

Fig. 17 is a'fragmentary elevation, with parts in section showing thefilling and cleaning stages of the sand hoppers.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary vertical section of the supporting and sandstopping pedestal used at the hopper filling station of the apparatus,and

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary plan, partly in section of a sand riddlerwhichis located at the hopper cleaning station.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures ofthe drawings.

In the construction of the apparatus, a

heavy base 1 of metal is used from opposed side edges of which verticalsupporting sleeves 2 and 3 extend. A post 4 extends upwardly from thesleeve 2, on which two collars 5 and 6 are rotatably mounted, one overthe other, from which yoke arms 7 and 8, respectively, extend andbetween which the pattern carrying boxes are rotatably mounted as willlater appear. The ends of the arms 8 and 7 are in the same horizontalplane, arms 7 being inclined upwardly and arms 8 downwardly, as shown.The lower collar 5 rests on an adjusting collar 9 threaded on the post 4whereby both collars 5 and 6 may be adjusted within the limiteddistances required for properly positioning the pattern carrying boxeswith reference to the other parts of the machine between which they go.Above the upper -collar 6, the post 4 is reduced in size or has asmaller post 10 connected thereto on which a collar 11 is mounted forrotation,

resting on an adjusting member 12 threaded on the part 10. Yoke arms 13extend from the collar 11 between which the squeezer filler is secured,as will later appear, and an operating handle 11" extends in an oppositedirection from collar 11 for manually turning the same to differentpositions. Above the collar 11, a rod 14 extends, being permanentlyconnected at its lower end to the part 10 and extending verticallytherefrom.

On ,the opposite side of the apparatus, a supporting member 15 islocated above the sleeve 3, above which is a threaded post 16 on whichan adjusting sleeve 17 is adjustably mounted, a second sleeve 18 restingon the sleeve 17 and having free rotation about the post 16. Three setsof yoke arms 19. extend from the sleeve 18 in the same horizontal planebetween which the three sand hoppers are rotatablymounted, as will laterappear. A cap 20 is located above the sleeve 18 and a rod 21 extendsvertically from the post 16 above said cap, paralleling the rod 14. Aheavy cross supporting beam 22 is located between the rods 14 and 21which pass through the ends of the beam, resting on nuts 23 threaded onto the rods, -and being securely held against movement by other nuts 23threaded on the rods against the upper sides of the beam. Thepossibility of adjustment of the'beam is apparent.

At the outer side of the lower supporting sleeve 2, an outwardlyextending bracket 24 is secured at the outer end of which a moulddrawing and levelling device 25. is located, constructed in accordancewith the disclosure in my pending application for patent thereon, Ser.No. 443,749, filed Feb. 10,- 1921. As it forms no particular part of thepresent invention it need not be specifically described.

At 'the opposite side of the apparatus from that at which the levellingdevice is placed, a sand holding bin 26 is placed, being of relativelylarge size so that the sand hoppers in their movements about the post 16pass thereover and are located thereover at two distinct stages, which Ihave named the filling and the cleaning stages or stations. Thesehoppers, indicated at 27 have vertical sides tapering slightly inwardfrom top to bottom edges, and trunions 28 project from opposite sides tobe received in bearings therefor in the ends of'the arms 19. One of thearms 19 of each pair of yoke arms is providedwith a handle whereby theentire construction mounted on the sleeve 18may be turned manuallywhenever desired. The hopper is open at both ends except that at oneend, normally the lower end when the hopper is used, a series ofparallel bars '30 cross each other and make a. grating in effect withopenings 31 therethrough. The bars come to a narrow edge at their uppersides and gradually increase in thickness downwardly, being formed withrounded under edges, whereby the openings 31 are smaller at their lowerthan at their upper ends. It is apparent that the hoppers may be turnedover on the trunions 28, and as a means for holding the hoppers in fixedposition with reference to the arms 19, releasable catches 32 are used,as shown in Fig. 1.

From the member 15, a supporting bar 33 (see Fig. 17) extends outwardlyfor a distance over the bin 26, at its end terminating in a verticalsleeve 34. A short rod luu 35 is. loosely mounted in the upper end ofthe sleeve atits upper end above the sleeve per 27 and come intoconjunction with the under edges of the grate bars 30. A rod 37 ofsmaller diameter extends from the rod 35 downwardly through the bottomof the sleeve 34.and a spring 38 within the sleeve around the rod 37 hasa normal tendency to elevate the table. A pin 39 extends from the rod 37below the lower end of sleeve 34 and is adapted to seat in a slot 40 inthe side of the sleeve when the table is in upper position, therebyholding the table from rotation. A foot operated arm 41 is attached tothe lower end ofthe rod 37 and it is obvious that thetable may be drawnto a lower position and the rod 37 turnedso as to carry pin 39 awayfronrthe slot 40, thereby holding the table locked in lower position, asshown in Fig. 18, where- -upon the hopper is free to move therefrom.When in its upper position, as shown in Fig. 17, the table engages withthe grating in the hopper holding the hopper in secure relation to thetable and directly under a sand carrying chute 42, the lower ends ofwhich is closed by movable closures 43 which may be manually openedwhenever :1

- hopper is to be filled. Any excess falls on to and is contained withinthe bin 26. After filling the table 36 is lowered and held in suchposition whereupon the hopper may be moved to discharging position, aswill hereafter be described. At times, possibly every tenth operationbefore filling with a fresh charge of sand, it is desirable that thehopper be freed and cleaned of any sand left from thepreviousoperations, and I have provided means therefor, the hoppersbeing provided with projections 44 with which a pneumatic vibrator 45may en age to vibrate the hopper and jar any san remaining therein out,as shown at the right in Fig. 17, the hopper being turned over andinverted during thisoperation. When one hopper is at the fillingstation, another is at the cleaning station. The sand falling "therefromdrogslinto any desired constructionof sand ri er, shown at 46 which maybe pneumatically operated by mechanism, indicated at 47.

After a hopper is filled with sand it is carried to the flask which isto receive the sand between the side supporting members. Between thearms 7 and 8 of the two yoke members connected with collars 5 and flaskcarrying members 48 are mounted on trunnions 49. From the bottom of eachmember 48 upright sides 50 extend at theupper edges of which a patternboard 51 is secured formed with a plurality of openings 52 therethroughoutside of the limits of the pattern 53 which is connected to the upperside of the board. A flask 54 having vertical sides and open upper andlower ends is placed on the board, the board and flask having wedge-likeprojections 55 with' which detachable securing clamps 56 of ordinaryconstruction are adapted to engage to detachably secure the flask to thepattern board. In practice the upper end portion of the flask may beprovided with a plurality of spaced apart cross vanes 57 for betterholding of the sand, though this is not at all essential. Latch members58 mounted on the arms 7 and 8 are designed .to engage with the member48 to hold it against rotation when it is moved to the filling positionfor the flask and after it is turned throu h a half revolution above thelevelling devlce at 25 where the filled flask is removed, by taking offthe securing.-

clamps 56, as shown in Fig. 1. The yokes on which the flask and patternholding 'members are mounted are equipped with 57, as shown in Fig. 4.This block may be varied in form for different flasks and applied to andbetween the arms 13 by removal and replacement of the securing devicesused therewith.

Extending upwardly from the base 1 at the inner sides of sleeves 2 and 3are vertical walls 61, between which, at their upper ends is ahorizontal table 62 on to which the flask holding members 48 are movedwhen in position for a projection of sandinto the flask. Ears 63 pro ectdownwardly. from the table at opposite sides thereof with which togglelinks 64 have pivotal connection at their upper ends at, 65. Additionaltoggle links 66 are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the lowerends of the links 64, at 67, the pivot members in all casescomprising-rods as shown in Fig. l which extend across. rom the links atone side of the apparatus to those at the other side. The two rods 67 atthe front and rear of the apparatus are connected by a bar 68.

A second tog le construction with links ofshorter lengt is located belowthe first toggle construction described, links 69 at their upper endsand links 66 at their lower ends being pivotally connected to rods'70,and lower links 71 are pivotally connected at their upper ends to thelower ends of links 69 on rods 72, said rods being connected by a bar73, in the same "manner that rods 67 are connected by bar 68. The lowerends of links71 are pivotally connected at 74 to cars 77 projectingupwardly from the base 1.

A relatively heavy abutment member coniprised of vertically extendingsides 75 eonnected by cross webs 76 is carried on the pivots 70 of thelower toggle link construction and in its lowermost position with thetoggles collapsed, the lower edges of the abutment member rest on theupraised portions 1? of the base 1. This abutment member has lateralprojections 75 which are received in-vertical guides 78 made in thewalls 61. A similar member with sides 79 is carried by the table62 orthe pivots at 65, its laterally extending portions 79 also beingreceived in the guides 78. When in lowermost position, as shown in Fig.4,"

v the lower edges of the parts'79 rest against the upper edges of thesides 75 of the lower abutment member, this making a construction whichprovides a strong and rigid support for the table in the-severalpositions to which it may be moved in the operation of the apparatus.

From the center of the table 62 a housing 80 extends downwardly in whicha centering pin orlock 81 is mounted, normally impelled upwardly by aspring 82 within the housing and under the pin so as to extend above theupper side of the table and enter an opening 48 made in the under sideof the bottom'of the flask carrier 48,

thereby properly positioning the flask with reference to the sand hopperabove. A rod 83 extends from the lockin pin downwardly to below thehousing 80 with which an arm below the cylinder 87 and at one end hasears 91 which extend to and are pivotally connected to the bracket at92. Each of the cylinders has a piston therein, and a piston rod 93 fromthe upper piston connects with one of the rods 67' for the operation ofthe upper toggle, and a like piston rod 94 from the lower pistonconnects with one of the rods 72 for operation of the lower toggle, asappears clearly in Figs. 3 and 4.

A horizontal supporting frame 95 passes around the bracket .86 and isconnected at its ends to the walls 61 (see Fig. 5). manually operatedvalves control the passageof compressed air to the cylinders 87 I Twoand 90 for operation of the toggles. These 95, two short lengths of pipe96 and 97 being connected to the frame and serving as exhaust outletsfor air and as supports for the valve casings 98 and 99 connectedtherevalves are mounted on one side of the frame with. A pipe 100 forcarrying compressed air to the casing 98 leads into the upper sidethereof, and a branch 101 leads into the upper side of valve casing 99.Connecting pipes 102 from opposite sides of the valve casing 98 lead toopposite ends of the cylinder 87 for the carrying of the coinpressed airto opposite sides of the piston in the cylinder. In like manner pipes103 lead from opposite sides of the casing 99 to the opposite ends ofthe lower cylinder 90 for like purpose.

The valves in the valve casings are of identical construction, as shownin Fig. 12, comprising a rotatably mounted cylindrical valve 104 withtwo curvedways or passages 105 and 106 therethrough, whereby aconnection may be madeto supply air to one side of the piston in acylinder 87 or 90, with a simultaneous opening of the cyliirder at theopposite side of the piston 'to exhaust out through the pipe 96 or 97,as the case may be.

Operating arms 107 and 108 are connected with the two valves in thecasings 98 and 99 to which operating rods 109 and 110 are connected,passing through guides 111 and terminating in handles 112 and 113,respectively. The handle 112 on the upper rod 109 (see Fig. 7) is.designed to be inaccessible for operation at times, being covered by aguard plate 114 which is pivotally mounted at 115 a short distance aheadof the handle 113 and is provided with a downwardly extending arm 116below the pivot. The guard is located back of a stock block .117immediately ahead of the pivot 115 against which the guard is normallydrawn by a spring 118, in whichposition the guard covers the handle 112'which is not accessible for operation. A lever 119 is pivotally mountedbetween its ends at 120 on a stationary part of the supportingstructure, and a coiled spring 121 connects its lower end with thelower'end of thearm' 116. A stop 122 is interposed in the pathofmovement of the lower end of lever 119, to limit its movement in onedirection. The upper end of the lever extends upwardly soas to be abovethe plane of the upper side of the flask 54 and be engaged by a pin 123extend; ing from the filler and pressing block 60 when said block ismoved to place between the sand hopper and the flask.

It is apparent that under ordinary conditions, the valve in casing 98cannot be operated until after that in the casing 99 has been operated,as the handle 113 will have to be moved away thereby moving guard 114back from the handle 112 and ,with said movement the spring 121 will betensioned, overcoming the spring 118 and moving the guard to theposition shown in Fig. 8, whereupon the upper handle is readily grasped.But when the block 60 is swung into place, it automatically actuateslever 119, thereby stretching spring 121 and throwing guard 114 toinoperative position so that the upper handle 112 may be grasped andoperated, ir-

,) respective of whether the lower handle has been operated. v

Integral with the upper beam 22, a cen- ,trally positioned air receivingchamlier or reservoir 124 is formed having a closed upper end 125 and anopen lower end across which a valve plate 126 is placed and secured, atthe lower edges otwhich an outwardly extending annular flange 127 isformed. The valve plate has a plurality of openings 128 madetherethrough which flare outwardly and enlarge in all directions, asindicated at 129, so that air passed from the air reservoir through theopenings 128 is allowed to expand and when it leaves the plate 126, itsubstantially fills the entire upper end of the sand hopper and pressesagainst the entire upper surface of the sand therein, the hopper beinglocated directly below the plate 126. A compressible gasket" ring 130 isconnected with the flange 127 so as to lie directly over the upper edgesof the sand hopper and make an air tight joint therewith at the time thecompressed air is discharged into the hopper, as will appear. I

A relatively large rod 131 is located vertically in the air reservoir124, passing upwardly through the top 125 thereof, and through asuitable guide 132 within the reservoir, at its lower-end below theguide carrying a head 133 formed with a plurality of vertical sleeves134, one for each opening 128 in the plate, 126. A valve 135 covers eachopening 128 and has a stem leading into each sleeve 134, a coiled spring136 being disposed between the valve and its associated sleeve 134 fornormally holding the valves in closed position against any unevenness orvarying of the surface of the plate 126. On elevation of the rod 131 andattached head, all of the valves are lifted, making a free outlet forthe compressed air through the openings 128 It is to be understood thatthe reservoir is at all times supplied with compressed air, the inletpipe 137 supplying the same from any suitable source.

The rod 131 passing upwardly through the top 125 of the reservoir,passes through any suitable stufling box 138, which -preeludes airescape, and at its upper end isequipped with a cross head 139 to whichthe upper links 141 of a pair of toggle constructions are pivotallymounted on trunnions 140 exte'ndin from the cross head, said links 141,attheir ower ends having pivotal connection at 142 with the upper endsof" the other links 143 which complete the toggles and which arepivotally connected at their lower ends between ears 144 cast, with thetop of the air reservoir. A yoke 145 is also connected by the pivots 142to the to gles, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, from whic a piston rod 146extends to connect with a piston in an air cylinder 147 mounted on andabove the beam 22. Air is supplied to the cylinder through a valveconstruction practically identical with those described for controllingthe operation of the pistons in cylinders 87 and 90. The air is carriedthrough feed pipe 148 to the upper side of the valve casing 149 fromopposite sides of which pipes 150 lead to the opposite ends of thecylinder, the valve casing having an exhaust outlet 151 at its lowerside. The valve within'the casing is identical with that shown in Fig.12, and the operation thereof is through an arm 152 connected therewithfor turning the valve between its two positions.

A rod 153 is connected at one end to the end of the arm-152 and extendsalongside a bar 154 from which lugs 155 and 156 extend laterally, therod passing therethrough. A block 157 is adjustably secured to the rod153 at a point between the lugs 155 and 156, and at opposite sides ofthe block, springs 158 and 159 are located around the rod between theblock and the lugs as shown.

The bar 154 is pivotally connected at 160 at its lower end to one arm161 of a bell crank lever, the other arm 162 of which is equipped withan operating handle. The lever is pivotally mounted on an outstandingprojection 163 on the reservoir 124. An eccentric housing '164 ismounted on an eccentric 165 connected with and turned on 105 operationof the bell-crank lever, from which housing a bar 166 extends downwardlyand terminates in a laterally turned end portion 167. An outlet pipe 168leads from the valve plate 126 to the outside and connects with a valvecasing 169, which is equipped wlth a valve 170, normally closing thecasing against escape of air outward therethrough. A rod 171 isconnected with the valve and extends to and through the end 167 of bar166. A collar 172 is secured to the rod 171 above the valve casing 169,and a spring 173 between the collar and part 167 normally holds thevalve 170 in closed position, when free to do so. In practice, however,with the tween the two extreme positions that the valve 170 is closed,and that'only momentarily. V

With the toggle members 141 and 143 in the position shown in Fig. 9, thevalves 135 are all closed. On grasping the handle arm 162 of thebell-crank lever and swinging it from the position shown in Fig. 9 tothat shown in Fig. 11, the compressed air is delivered to cylinder 147so as to move the pis ton and carry the toggle levers from the positionshown to a position directly opposite, that is with the knuckle at pivot142 located on the opposite side of the dead centerline between theend'pivots of the toggle 170 is opened, and an exhaust relief made forthe air in the upper portion of the sand hopper which escapes throughthe valve casing 169. I have provided a guard plate 174,

' -hingedly mounted on brackets 175 on the air reservoir 124 whichnormally drops down so as to be in front of the outlet end of the valvecasing 169 to receive.the impact of the exhaust .air, and other guardplates of similar form and mountings may be used as guards for the jointbetween the sand hopperand the gasket 130, so that any air that mayescape at this joint will 'not have any injurious effects as to theworkor the like.

men, such as blowing sand into their eyes,

Fig. 10, that the guard plate 174, when turned upward as it must bewhenever the hopper is moved away from the air reservoir, makes a stopagainst the movement of the bell-crank handle arm 162, and that theguard must be in its lower operative position whenever a sand chargingoperation is made followed by an exhaust through the valve casing 169.In the operation, the bell-crank lever is moved from one position to theother, as shown in Figs. 9 and 11, alternately, a discharge ofcompressed air occurring with each operation, followed immediately by anexhaust from the sand hopper of the air therein through opening of thevalve 170.

With a construction as described. the

- quantity production. of sand moulds is greatly facilitated. 'The sandhoppers 27 are successively brought to the filling, discharging andcleaning stations in their movement about the post 16, at the fillingstation receiving acharge of sand from the chute 42, moving therefrom tothe dis charging station directly under the air reservoir and having thegreater portion of reservoir valve plate.

Itt will be noted, referring to the sand forced therefrom by compressedair pressure and into the flask 54 directly below, and at the cleaningstation having the residue of sand therein removed whenever it maybeneeded. One of the hoppers is at the filling station, one at thedischarging station and one at the cleaning station, as is evident, atall times, merely successively changing position in rotation. Of course,as-proviously described the cleaning at the cleaning station does nottake place in every cycle of operations but only when necessary.

When a flask is to be brought to position for receiving the sand, thetable 62 and the toggle links associated therewith are in lowermostposition, as shown in Fig. 4.

The locking pin 81 is retracted by operating handle 85 and the flaskcarrying member 48 moved over the table until properly centered for theentrance of the locking pin in the recess 48 therefor. A hopper is thenmoved to position between the flask 54 and the gasket 130 on the underside of the air Handles 113 and 112 are successively opcrated,wherebythe table 62 and flask carrier 48 and the flask are elevated, making atight joint between the lower end of the hopper and the upper end of theflask, and between the upper end of the hopper and the gasket ring 130.The bell-crank lever operating handle 162 is then moved from its oneextreme position to the other, discharging the air from the airreservoir into the hopper with a consequent forcing of sand from thehopper into the flask, filling the flask with sand around the pattern53. The openings 52 in the pattern board 51 allow the passage of airthrough the sand in the mould and a relief of pressure therein which isadvisable in making moulds by this method. The position of the parts ofthe apparatus for filling the flask with sand is that shown in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that the operation of, the lower links 69 and 71 first,elevates the abutment member 75 associated therewith which, engagingagainst the other'abutment member 79 elevates the upper links, and thatthe succeeding operation of the upper links fully elevates the table.

One or more discharges of the compressed air against the sand in thehopper may be made, as experience may dictate. If the sand in the upperend of the flask is not of suflicient density it may be squeezed by useof the filler block 60 as described, and after the flask is filled, thetable 62 is lowered to the position shown in Fig. '4', separating theflask from the hopper and leaving space suflicient for the movement ofthe filler and presser block 60 between them. As de- I straighten theupper toggle links 64 and 66,

with a consequent elevation of the flask andof the flask and mouldtherein, the block 60 is moved to inoperative position, and anotherfilled hopper moved to take the place of the discharged hopper which ismoved to the cleaning station for removal of the more or less compressedand dense remnant of sand lefttherein, if necessary, and then ,to thefilling station to receive fresh sand for the next operation.

This series of operations may be indefinitely repeated. The use of thethree hoppers and double series of flask holders and patterns makes theoperation of the machine continuous. All operations except the movementof the hoppers, filler and presser block, and flasks to position aremade through the agency of compressed air. The moulds made are uniformand perfect in composition, and in every way the machine or apparatus ispractical, durable and efli-' cient. The invention is defined in theappended claims and is to be considered as comprehending all forms ofstructure com ing within the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. In combination, a vertical support, a pattern and flask carryingmember mounted to swing in a horizontal plane about said support, atable on to which said member with pattern and flask thereon is carriedfor filling the flask with sand, a second vertical support, a sandhopper mounted to swing in a horizontal plane about the sec- 0nd supportto come over the flask, an air reservoir mounted directly over the tableand under which the hopper comes, means for elevating the table to clampthe air reservoir, hopper and flask together, and means for momentarilyreleasing the air from the air reservoir to the hopper to drive the sandtherefrom into the flask,

' substantially as described.

2. In combination, two vertical supports,

,a beam connecting, the 'sameadjacent their filled with sand prior toswinging over the flask, a compressed air reservoir carried by said beamover the table, means for supporting the table and mounting it forvertical movements, means for operating said means to elevate the tableand clamp the flask against the hopper and the hopper against the airreservoir, and means for momentarily releasing the air in the reservoirto the hopper to drive sand from the hopper into the flask,substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a supporting table,- amember having a flask and a pattern therein located on the table, avertical support, a member mounted to turn in a horizontal plane aboutsaid support, a plurality of sand hoppers carried by said member inspaced apart relation to each other, said sand hoppers be ing movablewith said member' so as to come over the flask, means for filling thehoppers with sand before coming to the flask, means for applyingcompressed air to and above the sand in the hopper when over said flasktoforce the sand from the hopper into the flask, and means for cleaningthe hoppers of any residue of sand left after filling the flask, andbefore filling the hoppers again with sand, substantially as described.

4, A construction containing the elements in combination defined inclaim 3, combined with means for mounting each of the hoppers to turnabout a' horizontal axis whereby in cleaning the hoppers, they areturned over from the position in which they are filled and discharged,substantially as described.

5. In combination, a vertical support, a flaskand pattern carryingmember mounted to turn in a horizontal plane about said support, a tableon to which said member is carried, a locking pin projecting upwardlyfrom the table adapted to enter a recess in the under side of saidmember, spring means normally elevating the looking pin, and manuallyoperable means for retracting and lowering the pin to inoperativeposition.

6. In combination, a vertical support, a flask and pattern carryingmember mounted to swing about said support in a horizontal plane, saidmember having a recess in its under side, a table on to which saidmember is adapted to be swung, a locking pin extending upwardly throughthe table to enter said recess, a spring normally elevating the lockingpin, a rock shaft, an arm on the shaft connected with the pin, and a.manually operable handle on the rock shaft for turning the same toretract the pin, substantially as described.

' 7 In an apparatus of the class described, a vertical support,a'plurality of sand receiving hoppers mounted to turn in the a verticalsupport, three sand hoppers mounted to turn in the some horizontal planeabout the support, said hoppers being equally spaced apart, means forfilling the hoppers successively with sand at one point in theirmovement, means for discharging the sand from the hoppers at anotherpoint in their movement, and means for jarring the residue of sand fromthe hoppers at another point in their movement, the three hoppersnormally occupying .said three different points, one hopper at eachpoint,

' and successively changing positions with each other, substantially asdescribed.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, parallel spaced apartvertical supports, a table located between the supports and mounted forvertical movements, means for pneumatically elevating the table to twodiflerent positions, a flask and pattern carrying member mounted toswing in a horizontal plane about one of the supports to a position overthe table, a sand carrying hoppermounted to swing 'in a horizontal planeabout the other support so as to be positioned over the flask, an airreservoir carried between the upper ends of the supports under which thehopper moves when located over the flask, means for momentarilyreleasing air from the reservoir into the hopper to force the sandtherefrom into the flask, and a block mounted to swing in a horizontalplane around the first support to be positioned between the hopper andflask after the flask has been filled with sand, said block beingadapted to be pressed. into the upper end of the flask to compress themould therein. v

10. In a an apparatus of the class described, a flask carrying table,two series of toggle levers supporting the table, and two series ofpneumatic means connected one with each series-of toggle levers foroperating the same to straighten the links and elevate the table to twoseparate positions above its lowermost osition.

11. In anapparatus 'o the class described, a supporting base, twoconnected series of toggle levers pivotally connected with the base andextending upwardly therefrom, a table carried by the uppermost of saidlevers, piston rods connected one with each series of levers, an aircylinder containing a piston for each piston rod into which the rodspass, and means for selectivelycontrolling the passage of compressed airto either end of either piston, substantiallyas described.

12. A construction containing the elements in combination defined inclaim 10, combined with an abutment member carried by and movable witheach series of toggle levers, one of said abutment members being locateddirectly over the other and being adapted to rest one on the other inlower position, and a base to which the lower toggle levers areconnected on, which the abutment member associated therewith is adaptedto bear when in lowermost posi- .tion.

' tween the outer ends of each pair of arms,

trunnions on the hoppers for rotatably mounting said hoppers on thearms, and

latches for holding the hoppers against rotatative movement with respectto the arms, substantially as described. v

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a sand receiving hoppercomprising a shell open at both ends, and a grating 1 located in one endof the hopper formed of .aplurality of bars paralleling the sides of thehopper. and each other, said bars paralleling two sides of the hoppercrossing the other bars paralleling the remaining two sides of thehopper, and said bars tapering to a point substantially from their outerto their inner edges. a I

15. In an apparatus of the class described, a stationary support, acompressed air reservoir carried by said support, said reservoir havinga member at its lower sides formed with a plurality of outlet openings,:1

rod mounted vertically in the reservoir and extending above the same, ahead on the lower end of the rod, a plurality of valves, one for eachoutlet opening mounted on the head, means for pneumaticallyelevating-the rod momentarily to open the valves, and a sand hopperadaptedto be located under the reservoir for receiving the compressedair discharged from the reservoir.

16. In an apparatus of the class described,

a stationary support, a compressed air reser voir carried by saidsupport, sa1d reservoir having outlets at its lower slde, valves closingsaid outlets, a head on which the valves are carried, a rod extendingfrom the head through the upper side of the reservoir,; a cylinder,means for selectively directing compressed air to either end of thecylinder,

a piston rod extending fromth e cylinder and. operated back and forthwith respect thereto, M

and interconnecting means between the piston rod and said first rod formoving the said rod and attached'head verticallyon movement of thepiston rod in either direction to open the valves followed by movementin the opposite direction to close the valves, substantially asdescribed.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, a support, a compressed airreservoir carried by the support, said reservoir having outlets at itslower side, valves closing the outlets, a head on Which the valves arecarried, a rod extending from the head through the upper side of thereservoir, toggle levers pivotally connected at one end with the upperside of the reservoir and at their other end with the rod, an operatingrod connected with the knuckle of the toggle levers, and means formoving said operating rod longitudinally in either direction therebymomentarily elevating the first rod and connected head and valves andthen returning them to normal closing position, substantially asdescribed.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, a support, a compressed airreservoir carried thereby, a sand hopper adapted to be located under thereservoir, said reservoir having outlet openings in its under side.valves normally closing said openings, an exhaust outlet located in aside of the reservoir below the air outlets therein, a valve in saidexhaust outlet, means normally holding the exhaust valve in openposition, and means for momentarily moving the first named valves toopen position and simultaneously closing the exhaust valve, followed byclosing of the first valves and simultaneous opening of the exhaustvalve.

19. A construction containing the elements in combination defined inclaim 18, combined with a guard pivotally connected to the reservoir and-adapted to depend therefrom to cover the joint between it and thehopper, said guard when turned to upper inoperative positlon interposingas a stop against operation of the means for actuating the "valves.

20. In an apparatus of the class described, an air reservoir forcontaining compressed air, a plate connected at the lower sides 5thereof having a plurality of openings therethrough, said openings aftera short distance downwardly through the plate flaring outwardly andwidening in all directions, a sand hopper adapted to be located underand against said plate, valves normally closing the openings against thepassage of air, and means for momentarily lifting the valves for thepassage of air through the openings.

21. In an apparatus of the class described, on a support, a table, areservoir carried by the support a distance above the table, a flask andpattern carrying member adapted to be located on the table, a sandhopper adapted to be interposed between the reservoir and flask carriedby said member, means operated pneumatically for elevating the table toclamp the flask, hopper and reservoir together, means for momentarilyreleasing air from the reservoir to the hopper to force the sand in thehopper into the flask, said means for elevatin the table being reversedto lower the tab e and parts supported thereby,

a presser block adapted to be located between the hopper and flask, andmeans for elevat- 7. ing the table a less amount to force the flaskupwardly and the block into the flask to compress the sand in thehopper, substantially as described.

22. In apparatus of the class described, a so sand hopper, a flaskadapted to be located below the same, a reservoir for compressed airunder which the hopper is placed, means normally stopping escape of airfrom the reservoir, means for actuating said stopping means forpermitting the momentary passage of air from the reservoir into thehopper, an exhaust outlet for the air in the hop per above the sand,means normally held in an open position for closing said exhaust out- 00let, and a sin le means for closing said exhaust outlet 0 osin means andopening passage for air from the reservoir to the hopper, followed byclosing said passage of air from the reservoir and opening of theexhaust an outlet closing means' In testimony whereof I atiix mysignature.

DONALD J. CAMPBELL.

